A twist application device, including a feeder (1) for feeding conductor ends (2a . . . 2c) of at least two conductors (3a . . . 3c), and a rotatably mounted twist application head (4) for twisting the said conductors (3a . . . 3c). The twist application device also includes a controller (7), connected with a drive (8) for first clamping jaws (5a . . . 5f) of the feeder (1), and is equipped for control of the latter. The distance (a) between clamped conductor ends (2a . . . 2c) is set at an adjustable value before the transfer of the conductor ends (2a . . . 2c) from the feed device (1) into the twist application head (4). A method of twisting at least two conductors (3a . . . 3c), in which the referred-to distance (a) is set at an adjustable value before clamping of the conductor ends (2a . . . 2c) in the second jaws (6a, 6b) of the twist application head (4). In alternative aspect, a feed device (1) for feeding conductor ends (2a . . . 2c) of conductors (3a . . . 3c) into a further processing device (4). The feed device (1) has first clamping jaws (5a . . . 5f), and the further processing device (4) has second clamping jaws (6a, 6b) for accepting and clamping the conductor ends (2a . . . 2c). The first jaws (5a . . . 5f) in a clamping position can be relatively moved so that distance (a) between ends (2a . . . 2c) may be altered. An intermediate space, located between first jaws (5a . . . 5f), extends, in a direction of movement (A) for altering the distance between clamped ends (2a . . . 2c), at least twice as far as in a clamping direction (B). Also a method, in which a variable position of the first jaws (5a . . . 5f) is adjusted in accordance with a selected distance (a) between the ends (2a . . . 2c) before clamping of the ends (2a . . . 2c), and the first jaws (5a . . . 5f) are moved into a prescribed position before the clamping of the ends (2a . . . 2c) in the second jaws (6a, 6b) of the further processin

A twist application device, including a feeder (1) for feeding conductor ends (2a . . . 2c) of at least two conductors (3a . . . 3c), and a rotatably mounted twist application head (4) for twisting the said conductors (3a . . . 3c). The twist application device also includes a controller (7), connected with a drive (8) for first clamping jaws (5a . . . 5f) of the feeder (1), and is equipped for control of the latter. The distance (a) between clamped conductor ends (2a . . . 2c) is set at an adjustable value before the transfer of the conductor ends (2a . . . 2c) from the feed device (1) into the twist application head (4). A method of twisting at least two conductors (3a . . . 3c), in which the referred-to distance (a) is set at an adjustable value before clamping of the conductor ends (2a . . . 2c) in the second jaws (6a, 6b) of the twist application head (4). In alternative aspect, a feed device (1) for feeding conductor ends (2a . . . 2c) of conductors (3a . . . 3c) into a further processing device (4). The feed device (1) has first clamping jaws (5a . . . 5f), and the further processing device (4) has second clamping jaws (6a, 6b) for accepting and clamping the conductor ends (2a . . . 2c). The first jaws (5a . . . 5f) in a clamping position can be relatively moved so that distance (a) between ends (2a . . . 2c) may be altered. An intermediate space, located between first jaws (5a . . . 5f), extends, in a direction of movement (A) for altering the distance between clamped ends (2a . . . 2c), at least twice as far as in a clamping direction (B). Also a method, in which a variable position of the first jaws (5a . . . 5f) is adjusted in accordance with a selected distance (a) between the ends (2a . . . 2c) before clamping of the ends (2a . . . 2c), and the first jaws (5a . . . 5f) are moved into a prescribed position before the clamping of the ends (2a . . . 2c) in the second jaws (6a, 6b) of the further processin

A device for releasable fixed holding of a welding wire in a welding wire guide is described. This device is characterized in that the welding wire guide includes a cage for radially displaceable braking bodies, wherein a locking cone surrounds the braking bodies, and that, of the two cooperating functional elements, formed on the one hand by the welding wire guide and on the other hand by the locking cone, one is mounted in a non-displaceable manner in a holder and the other is mounted to be axially displaceable against a spring force with respect to the non-displaceable functional element.

A device for releasable fixed holding of a welding wire in a welding wire guide is described. This device is characterized in that the welding wire guide includes a cage for radially displaceable braking bodies, wherein a locking cone surrounds the braking bodies, and that, of the two cooperating functional elements, formed on the one hand by the welding wire guide and on the other hand by the locking cone, one is mounted in a non-displaceable manner in a holder and the other is mounted to be axially displaceable against a spring force with respect to the non-displaceable functional element.

The invention provides a linear winch assembly (10), gripper assembly (14, 16) and a method of use. The linear winch assembly comprises a first gripper assembly comprising a first gripper block (28b) operable to grip a cable and a second gripper assembly comprising a second gripper block operable to grip a cable (17). The winch assembly comprises a first mechanism (30, 31, 32) operable to move at least part of the first gripper block out of the pathway of a cable connector to allow the connector (19) to pass through the first gripper assembly. The winch assembly also comprises a second mechanism operable to move at least part of the second gripper block out of the pathway of a cable connector to allow the connector to pass through the second gripper assembly. It also comprises a pivotable lid (28a).

The invention relates to a machine (100) for manufacturing an optical fibre (200), characterised in that the machine comprises: at least one capstan (20, 21) and at least one pulley (22), which define a run of the optical fibre in a main area (2) of the machine, an optical fibre guiding system comprising a transmission member (25) and a clamping element (26) that is rigidly connected to the transmission member (25) and is able to retain an end of the optical fibre (200), the transmission member (25) being arranged parallel to the run of the optical fibre, a device (5) for having the clamping element (26) automatically grip the optical fibre (200), said device comprising: means (53) for placing the optical fibre in a starting position in which the optical fibre runs at a distance from the clamping element in a direction extending substantially perpendicularly to the clamping element (26), a fibre-spacing finger (51), that can move between a neutral position at a distance from the optical fibre located in the starting position and a position in which the finger (51) keeps the optical fibre at a distance from the starting position in such a way as to bring the optical fibre into an intermediate position opposite the clamping element (26), said means being designed to open the clamping element (26) when the finger (51) has brought the optical fibre (200) into the intermediate position and close the clamping element again when the finger (51) has returned to the neutral position thereof.

A wire harness manufacturing system includes a display unit, a wire cutting machine that draws an electric wire from a wire feed reel and cuts the electric wire to a predetermined length, a control unit that directs the display unit to display a wire laying image and wire work identification information for identifying a work regarding each electric wire, the wire laying image including a plurality of wire images showing the plurality of electric wire in the laid state and the wire work identification information being displayed in the vicinity of the corresponding wire image, and a memory unit that stores the wire laying image and work instruction information so as to correspond to the wire work identification information, the work instruction information including cut length of the electric wire. The control unit sends the cut length information to the wire cutting machine.

A wire harness manufacturing system includes a display unit, a wire cutting machine that draws an electric wire from a wire feed reel and cuts the electric wire to a predetermined length, a control unit that directs the display unit to display a wire laying image and wire work identification information for identifying a work regarding each electric wire, the wire laying image including a plurality of wire images showing the plurality of electric wire in the laid state and the wire work identification information being displayed in the vicinity of the corresponding wire image, and a memory unit that stores the wire laying image and work instruction information so as to correspond to the wire work identification information, the work instruction information including cut length of the electric wire. The control unit sends the cut length information to the wire cutting machine.

A system for use in maintaining a structure includes a maintenance apparatus including a maintenance drive system and a maintenance device. The system includes a support apparatus configured to travel in proximity to the structure. The support apparatus includes a body including a first end and a second end and a tether support device coupled to the body. The tether support device includes a housing. The support apparatus also includes a support drive system coupled to the body. The support drive system is configured to propel the support apparatus. The system also includes a tether including a first tether end, a second tether end, and a tether body extending between the first tether end and the second tether end. The maintenance apparatus is operably coupled to the first tether end. The tether support device is coupled to the tether between the first tether end and the second tether end.

In certain embodiments, a welding wire delivery system includes a non-rotational actuator configured to engage, disengage, and move welding wire. In certain embodiments, the welding wire delivery system includes a piezoelectric walk motor, a piezoelectric worm drive, a piezoelectric wave drive, a shape memory alloy, a solenoid piston, a linear actuator or motor, or a voice coil actuator.